A teller at my bank. Impromptu shot. Minor post editing, converted to BW. Printed a copy and presented her with it, she was thrilled. I know the on camera flash produced a hot spot on the wood cabinet behind her. Looking for thoughts.

Well it isn't great, but for an impromtu shot it isn't terrible. The flash hot spot sucks, but it exposed pretty good on the model. The composition is too centered and too soft. She also has a classic posed smile that most women have for this type of shot--not your fault unless this was a formal shoot.

There is a thing called the rule of thirds in photography, in architecture and wood working its called the golden rectangle, and in other places its called the golden mean. Read about the rule of thirds which I think Rolando explains in the photo tips. I mention the other names in case your interested in all the places this rule pops up in the universe.

I'm not sure what is causing the softness, but it does appear you might have focused on her hair by her right ear. The focus should be on her eyes. Maybe some sharpening in Photoshop or other program will help, but you won't regain focus that was never there to begin with.

See if you can get her in a setting where you don't have to do impromptu shots and I'm sure they will improve dramatically.

Nice attempt for a first try, but many problemes need to be corected :

* Burnt wall behind the head
* Much too grey, not enough contrats
* Too fuzzy. A crisp focus was needed to re-inforce that beautiful smile
* A flake of light on the left cheek of the model almost looks like a stain
* The necklace is a disturbance and fight the primary focus which should be the girl.
* There is a white dot on the sweater...